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Coneflower Care Must-Knows If you aren’t familiar with coneflower in a garden setting, you may be familiar with it as a natural cold remedy. Purple coneflower has long been sought after for its cold-fighting properties, especially in teas. All parts of the plant are purported to have immune-boosting effects. Because purple coneflower is native to grass prairies, it prefers well-drained soil and tolerates drought well. They won’t tolerate anything less than full sun; if planted in too much shade, purple coneflowers tend to get leggy and flop....

Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly Topping: To serve, spread each warm muffin with 1 tablespoon whipped cream cheese and 1 to 2 teaspoons red pepper jelly or other jelly or preserves. To Make Ahead: Prepare as directed through Step 2. Divide batter among three 1-quart freezer bags or 1-cup microwave-safe, airtight containers. Freeze for up to 1 month. To serve, thaw one or more portions of batter overnight in the refrigerator....

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes ¼ cup ice water, plus more as needed If you don’t have a thermometer, or just for extra security, use whites from pasteurized whole eggs. Make dough, wrap tightly, and refrigerate up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap in plastic wrap then heavy foil and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and let stand at room temperature to soften slightly....

1 16 ounce carton plain yogurt Teaching Notes: This lowfat snack is an good source of Vitamin A.

Kitchen Island Ideas Beautiful Banquette Designs Best Butler’s Pantry Ideas

Crocosmia Care Must-Knows Crocosmia is hardy in Zones 6 through 10. Some nurseries stock small crocosmia plants in nursery pots but the greatest selection of crocosmia cultivars is usually available as corms. These bulblike structures are planted in spring or fall. When planted in spring, they may not bloom until the following season. Plant crocosmia corms 3 to 5 inches deep and 6 to 8 inches apart in full sun and moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter....

1 cup water 1 cup granulated sugar

Sure, there are a few rules. Some precious objects are off-limits, and there’s no kicking balls inside the house. (“There’s a big backyard for that.”) Occasionally things get broken. (“They’re only things.”) But Vern and his husband, Craig Koch, prove that a kid- and pet-friendly house doesn’t have to mean barren tabletops and upholstery that can be hosed down. The home they’ve created is filled with fine art, antiques, and artifacts collected from around the world....

With its rich wood tones, including the kitchen’s butcher-block countertops, and a generous front porch, a 1,600-square-foot home near Hickory, North Carolina, provided the perfect canvas for Jessica’s DIY upgrades. To strip away some of the ’80s aesthetic, she removed wallpaper, refaced the dark wood cabinetry, covered dated flooring with luxury vinyl tile, and sprayed a rock wall white. Shiplap, open shelves, architectural salvage, and white furnishings contribute cozy texture and a bright feel to her home, which she’s lived in for three years....

For over three decades, Doug oversaw the production of garden and outdoor living content for Better Homes and Gardens, Special Interest Publications, BHG.com, and Books. At one point, his group was producing 25 gardening publications per year in addition to the monthly magazine and books.Doug has won a wide range of horticultural awards including the B.Y. Morrison Communication award from the American Horticultural Society.E-commerce websites were in their infancy when Doug helped launch Garden....